Firearm trigger lock



INVENTOR. /x @dome/.wvo

BY Mme-' 'f im Jan 5, 1954 T. BJORKLUND FIREARM TRIGGER LOCK Filed Jan. 5, 1951 V rf V.

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNHTED STATES PATENT GTFTCE FIREARM TRIGGER LocK Tex Bjorklund, venice, Calif. Application January 3, 1951, Serial No. 204,249

Claims.

My invention relates generally to devices for preventing the discharge of rearms, and more particularly to a locking device which engages Within the trigger guard of a revolver or the like to positively prevent` accidental or unauthorized firing of the gun. f Various kinds of safety latches have been pro- .posed to prevent accidental discharge of loaded firearms, but such devices are easily removed and do not offer any safety when the gun is within the reach of children, nor do they prevent the unauthorized use of a stolen gun. Many of the prior latch means function only to prevent the complete stroke of a trigger and are useless on certain types ofrevolvers. For example, in some revolversthe hammer may be cocked with only a slight rearward or forward movement of the trigger, and onceretracted, may be driven forwardly to strike the ring pin Without subsequent movement of said trigger. Thus the protection is inadequate even with the latch in place.

Moreover, the prior art latches fail to provide the practical characteristics which are important to the use of the device, and would not be rendered otherwise bythe addition of lockng means. Prior latches are in the nature of bulky appendages which clamp onto the gun rather than fit therein, and depend ,for security on an external bolt or latch whichmay be intentionally cut and removed. Any projection on the gun interferes with the proper fitting of a holster and cannot be used on sidearms which must be carried by policemen and other ocers of the laW.

. Accordingly, it is a major object of my invention to provide agun vlocking device which prevents the slightest movement of a trigger in any direction, and which is securely positioned to prevent either accidental or unauthorized discharging of the gun. y

Anotherrobject o fmy invention is to provide a gun locking device tted with key locking means to provide a high degree of security. It is alsoan object Yof my invention to provide a gun locking devicehaving internal latchmeans which is completely enclosed and cannot be cut free from the outside, said device being so inter- `4locked with theintegral structure of theY trigger guard as to require/permanent mutilation of the same in order vtorelvfriorve the device Without the Vuse f akey. y

A further object of my invention is to provide f a gun locking device which seats completelywithin the trigger guard thereof and has no members lprojecting outside Vof the normal profile 4vof the gun to interfere with the Initv of aconventional meer.. A r

Still another object of my invention is to provide a gun locking device of simple and sturdy construction whichcan be economically manufactured and marketed at a low cost.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of apreferred form thereof, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a revolver with a preferred embodiment of the invention shown mounted therein;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the preferred locking device showing the opposed side plates engaged together;

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the device taken along the line 3 3 vof Fig. y2; .l

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1; Y v

Fig. 5 is an interior elevation of vone of the side plates taken in the direction of the arrows 5 5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is an interiorelevation of the opposed side plate taken in the direction of the arrows 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. l thereof, a preferred embodiment of my improved locklng device is designated generally by the numeral I0. A conventional revolver Il having a trigger guard I2 projecting downwardly from a main frame I3 is fitted with the locking device I0 for the purpose of completely enclosing a trigger I4 (seen` in Fig. 4). vThe revolver II is of standard design and includes an upper hammer member I5` cooperatively interconnected to the trigger I4. It is to be understood, of course, that the revolver II is merely illustrative, and the locking device I 0 may be used advantageously` on, a variety lcf different guns.

As is best seen in Fig. 2, the locking device I0 comprises two main members or plates I6 and `Il which are adapted to mate side-by-side within the trigger guardnIZ. Locking means I8 are provided to locktheplates I6 and Il to each other and thus prevent access to the trigger I4. The plate I6 is formed as a tapered plug having a ilat outer face 2,0jcined to a parallelinner face 2| by a beveled edgelsurface 2 2. Both faces 20 and 2| are preferably ellipsoidal conforming to the outline of the trigger guard I2, and the outer `face 20 hasl a span larger than that of the guard so that therv beveled `edge 22 wedges against the inner rim of the lguard,and the plate cannot be passed therethrough. As lis best s een in Fig. 4,

ythe*beveledxedge Wedges inwardlygto the center of the guard I2, and is of a depth to provide an excess of Wedging surface, with the outer plate face 20 being positioned slightly outside of the guard.

The opposite plate I1 is similarly shaped with an outer face 23 joined to an inner face 24 by a beveled edge 25. The plate I1 is adapted to wedge into the opposite,half of the trigger guard I 2, and is glso bf j suchj proportions that it: cannot be passed completely through the guard. It should be noted that neither of the plates I6 and I1 overhangs the outer rim of the guard I 2 s o as to distend the profile of the latter. Thisisof substantial advantage when the reyolye/rNI I isf carried in a holster, and is an important feature of my invention.

In order to receive the trigger 4, Athe adjacent inner plate faces 2| and 2.4 are providedwi'tli""ar-v 's'ta'rtiallyall revolve'rs'tlie triggeris either moved forwardly or rearwardly a s'lightidistanceduring 'the- "cooking 'p'eration- Furthermore, 'because of Ath"Iai'sxllil'el." fes theblals 'I E arid (I1, n0

portion of the trigger I4 is visible,"'and'ithe'fintornaretnstiaction 'of the 'plates cannot be 'asoertain'd. Thus' oneattempting' anurauthori'z'ed removal ofthe locking device"f'a`ces"'an indeterthe plane o f the plate I6. I ['he'lo'cl: 33 isof oon- .,ve'ntional 'construction 'and' has a centrally derinedkeyfslot 3.I .within a 'cyli/ridri'calbody' '32,.' An enlarged flange 33 is 'secured to the body 32 and projects outwardly' of-the'pla'te IE'to preventinward' movement of "the 'bod'y. keeper ringsmmay be' provided adjaejentthe' inner-"plate wallZI 't'holdfthe' body 32"again'st out ward'moyement; and "determine the axi'aiposition "ofthe body` inScoperation"withthe flange 3 3. 50

'A 'split spring sradiiiyi siidabie 'with respectifs the booy; being j fitted within Ysuitable' opposed charme-regenen@- mally' urged' outwardlyfby spring tension. Ifhe 32. As is conventional, the tumblers 3 6 project vluttwirdly in 'an'1 irregular profile corresponding to the'f. predetermined 'serrations 'for the" 'key, i "nd may be formed' withA a generally rectarig'ular cross section, v:lis'is'best .sen'in Fig. 6, When'lthe key "is"'prope'rly 'inserted within the key "slot3fI the .position substantiallyflush with"the surfacefof restricted by thewalls of the 'grooves 31 'and'38. lThe inner en d of 'the body 32 is extendedbethe"plate' I1."1A1atch plate ml'isffastened'tothe terminal end'ofthe'bo'dy 32 an'dfisxedior 1 -othe body 32. The latch plate 4u is generally cir cular and has an outwardly projecting latch arm 43 which extends radially from the axis of the body 32. Upon rotation of the body 32, the latch arm engages and disengages from seat means formed in the plate I1.

As is best seen in Fig. 3, the plate I1 is provided with a circular bore 4 5 whichextends inwai-diy to a depth" suiiieint toaooxnioiiate the body 32' and latn plateau. At' the' top of the bore 45 is a semi-circular notch 4S which extends along the entire length of the bore parallel to "tlilaxis thereof. The notch 46 receives the latch arnn and permits rearward movement of the A"lcd`y""32 into the bore 45. At the back of the bore 45 'is anundercut recess 41 which is laterally offsebtoprovide a forwardly facing seat 48. The recess `41 :is c-ut on an arc eccentric to the bore 45, as is shown in the dotted outline of Fig. 5, andis fawidthto receivthe latch arm' 43 "as'the latter is'"rotated by 'the'body 32. The latch armV 43is prevented 'from forw'ardmovement by the 'seat 48/ when positioned within the recess 4 I 'and thus 'locksthe plates I6' and I1 securely together.

In the operation of the device'before" the plates I6"1and` I1 are placed within'the 'triggergu'ard l'Z'Vthe "keyis inserted within'the .key slot., 3l. This 'retr-actsthe tumbler plates '36 from .the grooves `31"and 38 and allows free: rotation of the body'32. By rotation of the key, the body 32 is 'turned' -sothat'the latch arm' 43 is extended upwardly/and is in'fa'A pos'ition`to.. register with: the notch`4'6. The plates IG/and I1are` thenl tted vwithin` theguard I2 to'enclose the Atrigger I4. 'Asthis'isdonel the Ylock body 32engages within 'the bore 45, andV theilatch arm 43l passes rearwardly through the notch 46 toa point adjacent the' recess 41.

Th'eikey'and bodyg'32 are then rotated countercloekwiseas viwedinFigfZ Yso that the"latch arm '43 enters the recess 41. j Such rotation is continued, until the end of vthe arm" 43`abutsthe eccentric peripheral'fwallof the recess '41. `The point'` of intersection "between" the tip arc of the arm 43 andthe wall'ofv recess 41 is selected' so that' at Vthe same'tim'e, the t'umb'l'ers36'v arei'in alignment' With` "the" opposed locking 'grooves 31 andi 38. Inv otherv words, whenk theiarm `t3' has traveled to the end'of 'its' counterclock'wise "arc, "it'i-sloffset from the verticallocking grooves31 'and 3aA an angular amo-unt "equal `to 'thspacing between the arm and the tumbler" plates '3 5 mAs' lthe'v key "is" withdrawn 'from the' lireyslbt 3 I the tumbler p1'ates""38 lspring outwardly tolit :within Y thegrooves" 31 'and' 3 8 and A prevent rota.- tion of the" body'32. "Separation of thep s'"l'6 and 'I 1"is`th"eri' impossible because ofthe "engagnient of the arrn 43 and seat" 48. may" now be fully inderstoodfthe latch'A arni' `4 3"is 'c o'iripletely"'eiclosed within'thej plate' "I 'Ifa'ridc'arinot be eut'fr'eeto rrnovethe device. 'lhnlyapp'arent "method"of'rmoving/'the'locking d'eviee' I0 from th'gu'nis" 'to' out' the 'trigger' guard' 'I 2" way` rom vides ahigh ieg're'tise'ciirity' 'ag rist itergac- 'eidentar v'or unauthorized discnargefof the gijijn, and yet is conveniently removed bytheprop'er pended claims.

I claim:v -f

1. A locking device of the class describedwhich includes: a pair of opposed plates having beveled peripheral edges shaped to wedge Within the complemental inner surface on the trigger guard of a gun, said plates having internal mating reesses tc fit around the trigger of said gun and prevent any movement thereof; key tted locking means rotatably mounted in one `of said plates and extending slidably into the `other' of said plates; engagement means within said first-mentioned plate to hold said locking means against rotation at a predetermined relative position; and latch means carried within said plates and operable by said locking means to move to a position interlocking said plates when said locking means are rotated to said predetermined position.

2V. A rlocking device of the class described which includes: a pair of opposed plates having inwardly convergent beveled peripheral edges shaped to wedge within the complemental inner surface on the trigger guard of a gun, said plates having internal mating recesses to t around kthe trigger of said gun and prevent any movementrthereof; tumbler locking means rotatably mounted in one of said plates and lockable with said plate at a predetermined position of rotation, said locking means extending slidably into the other of said plates; and latch means mounted on said locking means for rotation therewith, said last-mentioned plate having an undercut recess to engage said latch means and interlock said plates when said locking means are rotatedto said predetermined position.

3. A locking device of the class described which includes: a pair of opposed plates having flat inner faces adapted .to abut each other and beveled peripheral edges converging inwardly and shaped to wedge within the opposite sides of the complemental inner surface on the trigger` guard of a gun, said plates having internal mating recesses to fit around the trigger of said gun and prevent any movement thereof; a generally cylindrical body rotatably mounted Within one of said plates and projecting inwardly, said body having key operated tumbler means movable to interlock with said plate v at a predetermined rotational position, and the other of saidplates having a bore therein to slidably engage the projecting end of said body; and a latch mounted at the inner end of said body for rotation therewith and provided with a radially projecting latch arm, said last-mentioned plate having a notch extending the length of said bore to receive said arm upon the engagement of said body in said bore, and said plate having an undercut internal recess to interlock with said latch arm upon the rotation of said body to said predetermined position.

4. A locking device of the class described which includes: a pair of opposed plates having beveled peripheral edges shaped to wedge within the opposite sides of the trigger guard of a gun, said plates having internal mating recesses to fit around the trigger of said gun and prevent any movement thereof; a generally cylindrical body rotatably mounted within one of said plates and projecting inwardly, said body having a key slot and tumbler means normally extending outwardly to interlock with said plate at a predetermined rotational position, and operable to move substantially within said body upon the insertion of a key in said slot, the other of said plates having a' bore therein to slidably-.engage the projecting end of said body; anda latchmounted atv the inner end of said body for rotation therewith andk provided with a radially` projecting latch arm, said last-mentioned plate having a notch extending the length of said bore to receive said arm upon the engagement of said body in said bore, and said plate having an undercut internal recess to interlock with said latch arm upon the rotation of said body, said recess being shaped to stop the traveloi said arm when said body is at said predetermined position, whereby to facilitate the withdrawal of said key for the interlocking of said body in said first-mentioned plate.

5. A locking device of the class described Ywhich Y includes: a` pair of opposed plates having flat inner faces adapted to abut each other, and having beveled peripheral edges converging inwardly and shaped to wedge within the trigger guard of a gun, said inner plate faces having mating recesses shaped to t tightly aroundthe trigger of said gun and prevent any movement thereof; a generally cylindrical body rotatably mounted within one of said plates and projecting inwardly, said body having a longitudinal key slot and radially slidable tumblers mounted within said body and spring urgedoutwardly, and said mounting plate having a groove extending along said body and adapted to receive said tumblers to hold said body against rotation, said tumblers being movable to a position substantially flush with said body upon the insertion of a' key in said slot, the other of said plates having a bore therein to slidably engage the projecting'end of said body; iiange means mounted on said body to engage said iirst-mentionednplate fand hold said body against axial movement; and a latch secured to the inner end of said body for rotation therewith and provided with a radially projecting latch arm, said last-mentioned plate having a notch extending the length of said boreto receive said arm upon the engagement of said body in said bore, and said plate having an undercut internal recess offset at thek distal end ofsaid bore and formed to interlock with said latchrm upon the rotation of said body to prevent the separation of said plates, saidrec'ess being shaped ,eccentric to said bore to stop .thetravel of said arm when said tumles are, .a1igeedviihsaid plate groove. whereby to determine the correct position for Ythe withdrawal of said key for the interlocking of said body in said rst-mentioned plate.

6. A pair of opposed plates having beveled peripheral edges shaped to wedge within the opposite sides of the trigger guard of a gun, said plates having internal mating recesses to fit around the trigger of said gun and prevent any movement thereof; a tumbler lock rotatably mounted within one of said plates and projecting inwardly, said lock having a key slot and tumbler means engageably associated with said plate to interlock said lock at a predetermined rotational position, said tumbler means being operable t0 move to a position releasing said lock for rotation upon the insertion of a key in said slot, the other of said plates having a bore therein to receive the projecting end of said body; and a latch mounted on the inner end of said lock for rotation therewith, said last-mentioned plate having an undercut internal recess to interlock with said latch upon the rotation of said lock, said recess being shaped to stop the travel of said latch when said lock is at said predetermined position. whereby to facilitate the withmenaces fl dravval 1 of said vkeyiforith'e linte-lokingfofrsai-d flock-1in Vsaid rstmentionedplate.

'7. `*A locking. device fof theclassdescribedwhich includes: a'pair of' opposed: plates shapedtoengage within vthe opposite sides -of lthe trigger guard of a gun; 'i means "within said `plates I-to limit'the movement oflthei-triggerviof:said gun; locking means rotatably mounted in-"onelfs`aid plates and projecting inwardly, *said locking means having tumblerlnieans rkoperableL to Al interlock said` lock tosaidpiate'atalpredetermined rotational position, and 'rmova'ble.to-aposition releasing said lock upon lthe insertion f fa' Lkey Vin said slot; latchmeans rrio'i'intedv at'the inner end of y'said lock to engage `:the other Tof said plates upon the rotation `of said lockfonconriecting:said plates to each other; andmeans Within sai'dla-stmenti'one'd`plate toy stop lthe travel of 'y said v'latch meansfwhen said lockmis at vfs'ai'd predetermined position, ywherebyto facilitate the-'withdrawal of said key for theinterlocking of saidlockiinfsaid r'st-mentioned-plate.

l8. A rea'rmtrigger'lock comprising a'r's'tfat plate engageable intheltrig'ger guard of aliirelarm on ione side of Vfthe '-trigg'erfand Thavinglits periphery engaged on "the inner surfac of the trigger guard, a` second Yila-t 'plate 'engageable in 'the -trigger guard on -the-vother-side o'f `ithe trgger and having its periphery `-engaged o'nthein'n'e'r surface of the ltrigger' "guard, fa 'block element laterally carried by =the first plate extending transversely behind the trigger A.to lblock the movement of -th'e"trg'ger toiring position-'said block element having la free end abutting the inner surface o'f the second plate 'and spacing 'said plates apartfa rstfasteningelenientformed on the 'inner surface Aof yfone of-said plates, and a second complementarylfaste'nin'g'elementlateral ly carried by the 'otherof said plates -aiid`rotatably engageable therethrough 'for `locking engagement with said rst fastening element to releasably secure said plates in position 4in the trigger -guard fand 'position v*the block element in trigger locking lposition vbehind the trigger.

-9..-A "rearm trigger lock comprising a Airst lplate engageable yin the trigger guard *of 'a fire- 'arm on `one iside of. the trigger :and having fits periphery engaged on fthe -in'ne'r 'surface of vthe trigger gua'r'd, a Vsieco'nd'plate enga'gable in the trigger-guardenz the other -side of the trigger-and having its periphery engaged on theinner' surface of the trigger guard, at least one of'said plates -vhaving `a portion extending transversely behind the' trigger to block the movement Aof` the rtriggerto firing position, -said portionv havingy a ire'eren'd abutting the' inner surface of the second p'lat'aand spacing said plates apart, a first fastening elementcarried by one of said plates, and a 'second complementary fastening elementcarried ybythe other-of said plates and movable for'lock- -.ing engagement with said first fastening element to"s`e`cure lsaid-plates. in position Within said trigfgjerifg'uard.

-10.?A-rearm trigger lock comprising a first plate engageable in the trigger guard of a firearm on one sidefof the trigger -andhaving its periphery engagedon the inner' surface of the trigger-guard, fasecon'd-l plate -engageable in the trigger guard on th'e'fother side of the trigger and having itsperipliery feng-aged `on the inner 'surface of vthe tIiggerguar-dat least one of said plates having `a fp'orltio'n 'extending transversely behind the f tri'ggerlto block the `movement of the trigger to fpositionpsaidp'ortion -havin'g a free end abuttingv the-inner surface of the second lplate andspacin'gsaid plates apart, a first fastening vvelementcarried by on'e of said plates, a second cxnplenientary fastening element carried by the other of said plates and'movable for locking eng'ager'nent`withsaid rst fastening element to secu'r'e said plates'in position within saidtrig'ger guard, and 'key `iittecl locking-*means mounted in said plate 'carryingsaid secondfaste'ning element and 'conri'ected'theretofor locking said second element against moveinentin a direction'to release fs'aid plates.

lTEX VB'JORIiLUND.

.References Cited in the le of this patent uNITE'DsT-ATES PATENTS Number VName ADate H 51,569,553 Lewis et a1. Jan. A12,1926 passez Winue Octpz, 1928 2,505,227 Charters Apr. 25, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS lt'urifiberVn Country `Date 100,975 ,Switzerland Aug. 16, 1923 

